LDBDA : 1159

manual toothbrush

toothbrush by Wisdom with a flat red plastic handle and a short head with nylon bristles.

Nylon was invented in 1938 by an American chemist, Dr W.H. Carothers and his associates. The Addis company realised nylon could be used to replace animal bristles and asked the UK licensee, ICI, for permission to use it. This was granted and Addis designed the Wisdom toothbrush. It was launched in June 1940 accompanied by an extensive newspaper advertising campaign. Wisdom toothbrushes continue to be sold and this example dates from the 1980s.

maker: Addis Ltd 1980-1990

plastic, nylon; length 66mm